Ex-Marbletown principal's settlement deal includes $50K fine

RONDOUT VALLEY — More than a year after Bill Cafiero was removed from his job as Marbletown Elementary principal for suspected teacher evaluation irregularities, a deal has been made.

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By PAULINE LIU

recordonline.com

By PAULINE LIU

Posted Jun. 11, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated Jun 11, 2014 at 7:20 AM

By PAULINE LIU

Posted Jun. 11, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated Jun 11, 2014 at 7:20 AM

» Social News

RONDOUT VALLEY — More than a year after Bill Cafiero was removed from his job as Marbletown Elementary principal for suspected teacher evaluation irregularities, a deal has been made.

Cafiero, 52, of High Falls, has agreed to a $50,000 fine, a six-month suspension and retirement after pleading guilty to a series of charges including insubordination, misconduct and conduct unbecoming an administrator.

In the settlement, Cafiero acknowledged that he recruited Marbletown kindergarten teacher Mindy Shaw to help him write evaluations for about 20 teachers.

He admitted that he shared "confidential notes" from his teacher observations with her, even though she "had no legal right of access" to the information.

As the result of an investigation, Cafiero, Shaw and head secretary Diane Bracklow were removed from their jobs last May. The two women returned to their jobs a couple of days later, while Cafiero was assigned to Ulster BOCES.

Even though he was no longer employed as a principal, Cafiero earned a salary of $144,469 from the district last year, according to SeeThroughNY.com.

Cafiero, who is using up his vacation time this month, could not be reached for comment. Next month, he's to begin his unpaid suspension, which will run through Jan. 1, 2015.

When he returns, he will be assigned administrative duties by Superintendent Rosario Agostaro, until his scheduled retirement on September 30, 2016.

A fine of $50,000 is to be paid through payroll deductions before he leaves the district.

The school board approved the settlement May 29.

Agostaro declined comment, but the district issued a statement saying that "the release and settlement speak for themselves."

Parents said the deal finally puts an end to the uncertainy, though some have mixed reactions about the outcome.

"I'm disappointed that he won't be coming back," said parent Sarah Robertson, who heads the advocacy committee for the Marbletown PTA.

"He seemed genuinely liked by the teachers — and if not liked, at least respected. We trusted him enough to put our kids (twins) in kindergarten. We're not sure they'll be there next year. I don't have a lot of faith in the administration," she added.

Cafiero also came under investigation in 2001 when he was principal of Rondout Valley High School. He was placed on a two-week suspension without pay, while the district looked into claims of sexual harassment made by two high school teachers whom he had relationships with.